WowHaus

I love pretty much everything about this 1960s midcentury modern house in Holt Heath, Worcester.

It’s an interesting one too, not least because it wasn’t originally just a house. According to the agent, Mills House was designed in the 1960s by a local architect and originally used as a hairdressers. Likely the most suave hairdressers in the area.

But that didn’t last. The building, located in the ‘prestigious’ Woodbury Park area, was converted into a family home. You probably wouldn’t think that it had been anything else.

The current owners (presumably) have done an amazing job with it. The house has all the trademarks of 1960s modernism, from the architecture to the finish within. It’s also a very large and practical house for 21st-century living.

The angular design itself is pretty much the calling card for 1960s modernism, which was inspired by modernism from three decades or so before. This is always a good thing.

The clean lines, the large expanses of glazing, the bright interior spaces—these are the kinds of designs many of us aspire to for our homes. But they’re seen less and less in an age of small plots and even smaller windows.

There’s also the large plot, the garage and the entertaining spaces, all of which I’ll get to later. But first, let’s talk about the internal layout.

The finish inside looks to have been updated fairly recently, but it takes inspiration from the mid-20th century in terms of the details and the colour palette. It’s retro, but also very now.

It is also worth noting the wooden floors and internal glass doors, as well as the entrance with the exposed brick and tile and some angled ceilings. And yes, there is an open-tread staircase, almost a trademark of a 1960s house. It is sculptured but still practical.

It’s also a masterclass in using retro design to enhance a modern-day home—everything from the artwork to the seating, not to mention the storage. Everyone loves a retro coffee table, but the shelving packed with books, vinyl and audio kit, just across from the Eames chair, really does make a statement.

It’s not that this is some kind of retro throwback—far from it. The kitchen is a fairly contemporary affair, the bathroom is much the same, and overall, there’s a modern/neutral feel to much of the space.

However, period details have been maintained and, as I said, mixed with vintage and retro inspiration to create a statement look—a midcentury modern house with a retro look, but also a practical, modern-era family home.

As I said, there is plenty of living space to work with, too. The entrance hall itself is quite sizeable, with access to the main downstairs accommodation and a glimpse of that wonderful staircase.

There are up to three reception rooms here, one of which could be used as a fourth (downstairs) bedroom if needed.

The main reception is a dream of a space, due to a mix of fixtures, fittings, and all the natural light it attracts. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with the other two. Far from it. But that’s the star of the show.

The other reception rooms follow similar styling but don’t have the same volume as the main living room. However, they are great spaces to work with and, again, benefit from all that natural light.

There’s also a large kitchen and breakfast room on this floor, as well as a toilet and utility area. Each window provides fabulous natural light and views around the grounds.

Upstairs, there are three ‘well proportioned’ bedrooms with vaulted ceilings, one of which has the added bonus of an en-suite shower room alongside a main house bathroom that is split into two areas. This pretty much covers the internal space.

But this house sells itself as much for the outside as the inside.

The gardens are substantial and wrap around the house. They’re very manageable, too, with lawns and a large decking area that screams ‘party’ at you. I’m unsure if the hot tub stays, but that’s quite the bonus if you could work a deal.

Talking of bonuses, there is also a rather lovely summer house and two garages. I know there’s a crossover of people on this site who love their houses and cars, so that’s quite the selling point there.

So a lot of house and land, as well as a sought-after location. If you fancy moving to this part of Worcestershire, it’s up for offers around £695,000.

Images and details courtesy of FreeAgent247 at Rightmove. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.